Curry Leaves Health Benefits

About

Curry leaves are an excellent source of several vital nutrients, which are used in cooking. It has a lot of health benefits and it is good to consume them every day.

Curry leaves

The splattering of mustard seeds in hot oil with a fistful of curry leaves is treat for the senses. The sound and fragrance and the taste and feel of this infusion in foods is unbelievable. This is simplicity in action. This is the magic of curry leaves – a simple leaf with amazing flavor and health benefits.

If you are perhaps thinking – ‘where can I buy curry leaves?’ – then fret not. The curry tree is widely grown in the Indian subcontinent. Curry tree is also grown in south-east Asia and Spain and some other countries.

Curry Leaves Nutrition Facts

The nutritional values of curry leaves per 100 grams are:

• Energy - 108.000 K cal
• Carbohydrates - 18.700 gm
• Moisture - 63.800 gm
• Fiber - 6.400 gm
• Protein - 6.100 gm
• Minerals - 4.000 gm
• Fat - 1.000 gm
• Calcium - 830.000 mg
• Phosphorus - 57.000 mg
• Iron - 0.930 mg
• Copper - 0.100 mg
• Magnesium - 44.000 mg
• Zinc - 0.200 mg
• Manganese - 0.150 mg
• Chromium - 0.006 mg
• Thiamine - 0.080 mg
• Carotene - 7560.000 µg
• Riboflavin - 0.210 mg
• Niacin - 2.300 mg
• Vitamin C - 4.000 mg
• Folic Acid (Free) - 23.500 µg
• Folic Acid (Total) - 93.900 µg

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Curry Leaves Health Benefits

Consumption of curry leaves is beneficial for many medical conditions and in maintaining good health.

Curry leaves for hair

Curry leaves are excellent for source of nutrients for hair growth. Regular consumption of curry leaves strengthens hair, cures dandruff and prevents premature graying of hair.

Curry leaves for skin

Application of curry leaves helps in treating bruises and burns as well as rashes and insect bites. The high content of antioxidants and vitamin C also helps to keep the skin supple and young.

Curry leaves for liver

Eating curry leaves can keep your liver healthy. They are beneficial in liver conditions such as cirrhosis. Curry leaves also protects the liver from various infections.

Curry leaves for eyes

Curry leaves are useful in eye problems such as cataract. Rich in vitamin A; curry leaves protect the eyes, keep the retina healthy and prevent vision loss.

Curry leaves for anemia

Curry leaves are an excellent source of iron and its consumption can help people who suffer from anemia. Another benefit of curry leaves in anemia is that they are also a good source of folic acid, which aids the body in absorbing iron. Without adequate folic acid in the body, the iron is excreted from the body without proper absorption.

Curry leaves for heart

Curry leaves help lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the body. Curry leaves aid in weight loss, which removes extra pressure from the heart. The antioxidants present in curry leaves are beneficial in keeping the heart healthy.

Curry leaves for digestion

Health benefits of curry leaves for good digestion along with their aromatic flavor are the reasons for popularity of curry leaves usage in food.

Curry Leaves Recipes

Curry leaves can be used in food preparations to add flavor and to increase the nutritional value of a meal.

Coconut rice

Steam some white or brown rice and set aside to cool. Make sure rice is a bit tender than their usual texture when boiled. In a wok, heat some organic coconut oil and add some mustard seeds to it. Remove from heat when seeds begin to splatter. Then add chopped curry leaves, sesame seeds and green chilies. Grate some garlic into the mix and mix them together on medium heat. Add red chili powder, turmeric powder and salt to taste. Then add rice and fresh coconut. Mix well. Remove from heat. Add lemon juice and garnish with chopped coriander leaves, some curry leaf powder and more fresh coconut. Serve hot with fresh coconut chutney.

Spiced lentil

Wash and soak your choice of lentil for 20 minutes. In a deep pan add ghee, cumin seeds, 1 bay leaf, whole red chilies, whole coriander seeds, whole cardamom, few cloves and some black peppercorns. When the spices begin to splatter, remove from heat and add curry leaves. Then add ginger paste and cook for a minute. Now mix well red chili powder, turmeric powder, black pepper powder and salt to taste. Add lentils and bring to a boil. Cover with a lid and slow cook the lentils until ready to eat. Serve topped with ghee and finely chopped coriander leaves and curry leaves.

Kidney bean salad

Wash and soak kidney beans overnight or for at least a few hours. Cook them with salt and a bay leaf until ready to eat. Make a seasoning using coconut oil and mustard seeds and some curry leaves. Add this to the beans. Now add chopped onion, chopped tomato, and slices of red, green and yellow peppers, some jalapeno and finely chopped curry leaves. Mix well. Squeeze in some lemon juice and sprinkle some salt and black pepper powder to taste. Add some curry leaf powder and fresh coconut. The salad is ready to eat. You can also eat this warm by lightly sautéing all ingredients together.

Handy ways to use curry leaves in meals

• Make curry leaf powder to last you for at least 2 weeks. Wash and dry curry leaves and let their water content completely reduce by drying them in the sun or keeping them in the refrigerator for a few days. Then grind and store in an airtight container. Use this to instantly spice your buttermilk, yogurt, salads and curries.
• Always add in a few curry leaves to your lentil and rice dishes to increase the consumption of this healthy food.
• Use curry leaves when you make your chutneys. They go well with coconut, coriander and mint.
• Grow a curry tree in your garden for easy availability of fresh curry leaves for every meal.
• Chew a few curry leaves every morning to improve digestive health and to lose weight.

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Some beauty recipes

• Grind curry leaves to a paste and mix with turmeric and yogurt. Apply on skin for relief from rashes, irritations and to improve skin texture.
• Add some curry leaves to coconut oil and apply on hair. Regular application will improve the quality of your hair.
• Apply a paste of curry leaves mix with lemon juice for strengthening hair roots.